A team from UHL, IBSL (UK) Limited, Santa Lucia Pharma Apps SrL (IBSL) and the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network has been shortlisted in the category of ‘Medicines optimisation and pharmacy’ in this year’s HSJ Value Awards.
The shortlisted project has been transforming the medicines pathway for patients on four wards at UHL since it was first piloted in 2015. The project, entitled: OptiMed-ID is a unit dose closed loop medicines management system. This system uses robotic technology and logistics software to produce and deliver individual doses of medicine for patients. The system takes an end to end view of the supply chain (from stocking, prescribing, dosing, distributing and administering medicines) and brings automation, supported by integrated software systems, to points of potential inefficiency, error and failure. Leicester has been the first site to deploy such a solution in the NHS.

Loughborough University undertook an 18 month evaluation of the project and results included:-

• A 25% reduction in the consumption (and costs) of medicines
• A 40% reduction in the number of items held in the ward stock cupboard 
• A 60% reduction in medicines wastage
• A reduction in missed doses due to medicine not available on wards from 10% to 1.2%

The redesigned pathway clearly shows that the system offers benefits in safety, efficiency and has achieved financial savings.

Graeme Hall, Chief Pharmacy Information Officer at Leicester’s Hospitals said: “The project team is very excited to have been shortlisted in what we believe was a very competitive process. We are hoping that this will encourage other healthcare organisations to look and the benefit for patients and the organisation. We are looking forward to being able to present to the awards panel on March 31st. We all have our fingers crossed!”

Chris Hart, Commercial Director at the EMAHSN said: “We’re thrilled that this project has been shortlisted. Receiving this recognition will assist in raising awareness of this solution which can save the NHS millions each year and provide safer care for patients.”

The ceremony is taking place on 24 May 2017 in London.